Travellers

5th November 2004, 12:00am
* It is estimated there are between 120,000 and 150,000 Gypsies or Travellers across the UK; in some areas, they are the largest minority ethnic group

* Around one-third have no settled site and are forced to be highly mobile or resort to camping illegally

* Fewer than one in two Traveller children are registered in school. Those who are registered have the worst attendance record of any ethnic minority

* According to Ofsted, 50 per cent of Gypsy and Traveller children are registered as having special educational needs, and they face an increased risk of exclusion